In a stunning revelation that has sent ripples through the football world, former Everton manager Sean Dyche disclosed that the Toffees made a bold attempt to sign Manchester City star Jack Grealish in 2024, only for the deal to fall apart due to insurmountable hurdles. Speaking after his sacking in January 2025, Dyche’s candid admission sheds light on a missed opportunity that could have reshaped Everton’s fortunes under his tenure. The claim, made amidst a turbulent period for the club, underscores the challenges Dyche faced in the transfer market and highlights the contrasting fortunes of Grealish, who has since thrived under David Moyes at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Dyche, known for his pragmatic approach during his time at Goodison Park, revealed that Everton “put in calls” to secure Grealish’s signature, a move that would have been a major coup for the club. “We put in calls, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Dyche admitted, reflecting on the failed transfer. The primary obstacle, he hinted, was the restrictive financial situation under former owner Farhad Moshiri, whose chaotic stewardship often limited Everton’s ambitions in the transfer market. Grealish, then struggling for game time at Manchester City, was seen as a potential game-changer for an Everton side desperate for attacking flair. However, the deal never materialized, leaving Dyche to navigate a challenging season with limited resources.
The revelation adds a layer of intrigue to Grealish’s eventual move to Everton in August 2025, when he joined on a season-long loan under Moyes’ management. The 29-year-old England international, who had fallen out of favor under Pep Guardiola at City, has since rediscovered his spark, earning praise for his performances and earning the chant “Super Jack” from adoring Everton fans. Grealish’s impact was immediate, with four assists in his first two Premier League games, including two in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and another pair in a thrilling 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His dynamic play, combining 91% pass accuracy, relentless dribbling, and a tireless work rate, has made him a beacon of hope for a club emerging from years of financial and on-field struggles.
Dyche’s conservative tactical approach, which prioritized defensive solidity over attacking freedom, might not have suited Grealish’s flair-driven style. “It felt like his side wanted to avoid conceding, rather than going for it and taking hold of matches, which is the exact opposite of how Grealish plays,” one observer noted. Under Moyes, however, Grealish has found a manager who encourages his creativity, allowing him to dictate play from both central and wide positions. Moyes, who returned to Everton in January 2025 after Dyche’s dismissal, described Grealish as a player capable of “showing the best version of himself,” a sentiment echoed by fans who have embraced the former Aston Villa star as a symbol of the club’s new era under The Friedkin Group’s ownership.
Grealish’s journey to Everton was not without sacrifice. To make the loan move possible, he agreed to cover around three-quarters of his £300,000-a-week salary, a testament to his desire to relaunch his career and secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go,” Grealish said upon signing, highlighting Moyes’ pivotal role in convincing him to join. The deal, which includes a £50 million option to buy, has been hailed as a statement signing, marking the end of Everton’s austerity era and signaling ambitious plans for their new 52,769-capacity stadium.
Dyche’s tenure, by contrast, was marked by a grim run of form, with Everton winning just one of their final 11 matches before his sacking. Despite his claims of leaving the club “in good shape,” the Toffees were teetering just one point above the relegation zone. His revelation about the Grealish pursuit highlights the frustrations of his time at Everton, where financial constraints and fan discontent often overshadowed his efforts. For Grealish, the move to Everton has been a rebirth, with his performances drawing comparisons to his days as Aston Villa’s talisman. As Everton look to build on their promising start to the 2025-26 season, Dyche’s bombshell serves as a reminder of what might have been—and the transformative impact Grealish is now having under Moyes’ guidance.
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